Get your nature fix when it's too cold to go outside. Here are 7 easy ideas.

I love winter!

Without a doubt, it’s my absolute favourite season. Wrapping up in a big warm coat and cosy scarf, stepping outside to see a bright big blue sky, and feeling the brisk fresh breeze brush against my cheek. 

Or, snuggling up beside a roaring fire with a good book and a warm blanket.

What’s not to love?

Don’t get me wrong, despite my affinity for cold weather, there are definitely some wintery days where I struggle to push myself out the door. 

Sideways rain or ice-cold wind? I’d prefer to hide under my duvet, thanks. On these days I’ll admit defeat! 

But we all know it's so important for our overall health and wellbeing to connect with nature. So when the weather just won’t cooperate for weeks on end, it’s time to get creative. 

How can you get your nature fix when it’s too cold or wet to go outside or you can’t bear to face the endless drizzle? 

Here are some ideas to get your nature fix while staying cosy, warm, and dry.

Binge your favourite nature documentaries

If you’re a nature documentary aficionado, this is the perfect time to get lost in some of the many readily available docuseries.

Watching nature documentaries is a great way to learn more about the natural world and build an appreciation for the planet. 

My personal favourites are Our Planet, Down to Earth, Wild Babies (seriously, who wouldn’t be in a good mood after watching this one?!), and March of the Penguins. 

If the David Attenborough style isn’t your vibe, you might prefer the critically acclaimed docuseries Alien Worlds, where you can delve into the mysteries of outer space. 

Or, there are plenty of surfing, skiing, and climbing movies for a more adrenaline-filled hit, like Step Into Liquid, 14 Peaks, or Touching the Void. 

When you’ve had enough documentaries and just want some mindless, binge worthy watching, try a movie set in nature like The Beach, Into the Wild, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, or the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Find some nature in a bowl – Cook the rainbow!

In the winter, most of us tend to reach for comfort meals like meat and potatoes as our staple, which can often be quite high in starchy carbs.

But, a summery salad or a hearty veg-infused stew or soup might just be what you need to lift your spirits and enhance your health. 

Give yourself a vitamin and morale boost by creating nourishing meals using vegetables of EVERY colour. Trust me, you will instantly feel better. 

If you’re not sure what to cook, it can be lots of fun scouring the internet for new recipes. My favourite blog spots for vegetarian recipes include Little Green Spoon and Cookie+Kate.

And there is no shortage of delicious recipes published regularly in the Guardian.

Get cosy with a herbal tea

Despite being called tea, true herbal teas are actually ‘tisanes’ and contain no caffeine, which is why they often provide a calming effect. 

In addition to tea leaves, tisanes contain blends of different herbs, spices, fruits, or other plants and, along with their warming effect, can often provide medicinal benefits.

My personal favourites are dandelion or lemon and ginger.

Have you tried a warming turmeric latte? Spolier alert: it is made sans coffee! You can experiment with different spices like cinnamon, cloves, and even cayenne pepper, for a vibrant-coloured health kick! 

Get lost in a nature-infused book

And if you’re looking for a book to go with your cuppa, take a look at Love Letter To The Earth by Thich Nhat Hanh, For The Love Of Soil by Nicole Masters, Finding The Mother Tree by Suzanne Simard, or Grow, Cook, Dye, Wear by Bella Gonshorovitz. 

Or you can’t go wrong with Cheryl Strayed’s memoir, Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail (also a film starring Reese Witherspoon!).

Indoor gardening

Winter is a time of year that we not only neglect ourselves, but often overlook our green friends.

If your indoor plants have been neglected of late, they would no doubt appreciate a little pruning and watering, or maybe even some Feng shui-style re-organising. 

Pop out to your local garden centre to find some new winter greenery that will brighten up your sitting room or window sill. Winter pansies always make me smile. 

Relax and unwind with yoga or meditation

So while this one isn’t necessarily a nature fix, yoga or meditation can help connect you to the natural world. When doing your yoga exercises, you could play nature sounds in the background and you may just trick yourself into thinking you’re out in the park. 

Or meditate near an open window to feel the warmth of the sun or the flow of cool air on your face.

Moving your body is great for your health, and yoga encourages a spiritual connection that can be ultra calming on a cold day when you’re stuck inside feeling a little stir crazy. 

If you don’t have enough space for yoga, meditation can be just as uplifting and rewarding. Try picturing yourself on the top of a mountain or wandering through the forest. Breathe deeply and create the feeling in your mind. 

Mantras work too. My favourite is ‘I am one with nature’!

Or if you absolutely must go outside… simply embrace the inclement weather!

While nothing beats snuggling up in a warm, cosy home, especially by the fire, sometimes we just need to get out. So, grab a warm parka and take in the crisp winter vibes on a leisurely walk.

Or get the running gear on for a vigorous and energetic run. Personally, I love running in the rain or just after a snowfall. There is something soothing about soft rain falling on your face or fresh fluffy snow under your feet. Just be sure to dress accordingly!

Whatever you choose, the fresh air will revitalise and regenerate your body and soul!